The kangaroo method, also known as “kangaroo mother method” or “skin-to-skin contact”, is an alternative created by pediatrician Edgar Rey Sanabria in 1979 in Bogota, Colombia, to reduce hospital stay and promote breastfeeding of newborns. – low birth weight. Edgar noted that when skin-skinned with parents or family members is placed, newborns gained weight faster than those who had no contact, had fewer infections and came out before babies who did not participate in the initiative.
This method starts immediately after birth, always in the maternity ward, where parents are trained on how to take the baby, place it and attach it to the body. In addition to all the benefits of the method, it still has the advantage of being economical for the health practice and for parents, which is why it has since been used in the recovery of low birth weight babies. Check essential care with your newborn at home.
- The goal of the kangaroo method is to promote breastfeeding.
- Promoting the constant presence of parents with the newborn in continuous contact.
- Reducing hospitalization time and reducing family stress.
Studies show that in hospitals where the method is used, the amount of daily milk in mothers who have skin-to-skin contact with the baby is higher and that the lactation period is longer. Learn about the benefits of prolonged breastfeeding.
In addition to breastfeeding, the kangaroo method also allows
The baby’s breast contact also makes the newborn comfortable, as it can recognize the first sounds he heard during pregnancy, heart rate, breathing and the mother’s voice.
In the kangaroo method, the baby is placed upright in skin-to-skin contact only with the diaper on the parents’ chest, and this occurs gradually, i.e. the baby is initially touched and placed in the kangaroo position. This newborn’s contact with parents begins more and more, each day the baby spends more time in a kangaroo position, by family choice and for as long as the parents feel comfortable.
The kangaroo method is carried out in a oriented manner, and by family choice, safely and accompanied by a duly trained health team.
Because of all the benefits and benefits the method can bring to the baby and the family, it is currently also used in normal weight babies, in order to increase emotional bonding, reduce stress and encourage breastfeeding.